Backing business: Getting out to #supportlocal

Pubs and restaurants in Chichester are preparing to welcome back customers for the first time in three months this weekend.

It comes after the Prime Minister announced last week that the hospitality sector could reopen from Saturday, as long as they can do so safely. Boris Johnson also reduced the social distancing gap to one metre, where two is not possible.

Businesses were told they will be given guidance on how to reopen safely and were asked to register punters’ contact details to help with contact tracing.

Chichester BID has since compiled a list of the venues that will open to the public and, in some cases, already have. These include:

■ Crown and Anchor in Dell Quay, reopens July 20

■ The Rocking Horse in South Street, reopens July 4

■ The White Horse in Chilgrove, reopens July 4

■ Artie’s Kitchen, reopens July 9

■ The Foresters Arms in Graffham, reopens July 4

■ The George and Dragon in North Street, reopens July 4

■ Giggling Squid in Eastgate Square, reopens July 4

■ Reina Kitchen in Market Road, reopens on August

■ The Hole in the Wall in St Martin’s Street, reopens July 4

■ The Bell Inn in Broyle Road will reopen on July 5

■ Trents in South Street on will reopen on July 6

■ The Vestry in South Street will reopen on July 4

■ The Chantry in South Street will reopen on July 4

■ Café Paradiso in North Street is open now

■ Common Grounds in Little London is open now

■ Fenwicks Café in Priory Park is open now

■ H+M Coffee in the railway station in South Street is open now

■ Luckes in North Street is open now

■ Spires Bakery and Coffee Shop in Crane Street will open on July 4

■ The Lunch Box in Cooper Street is open now

■ The Pass Street Food Café in Southgate is open now

■ The Sweet Jar in South Street is open now

■Farmer Butcher Chef, Goodwood Bar and Grill and The Kennels at the Goodwood Estate will reopen on July 4

To help businesses bounce back following weeks of closure, the Chichester BID has launched a new free app to promote the city centre businesses.

The app, created in partnership with Loyalfree, provides free advertising for local businesses to promote their offers and events, runs loyalty stamp schemes and sells products or vouchers.

It also hosts various trails to encourage visitors and residents to discover all parts of the city centre.

Oriana Di Mascio, projects co-ordinator at Chichester BID, said it was an ‘effective and innovative way’ to support businesses impacted by the pandemic, adding: “The Loyalfree app scheme has already been successful in towns and cities across the country and we are urging

BID levy payers to take advantage of this free publicity platform to share offers, vouchers and much more as they try to bounce back.

“We plan to launch the app in the next few weeks and hope members of the public find it a useful resource for discovering all the latest city centre offers and promotions as well as event listings, tourism and parking information and city trails.”

Meanwhile a new group is being set up to support the recovery and transformation of Chichester’s high street.

This would be a sub-group of the Chichester Vision and will be led by Chichester District Council’s cabinet member for property, growth and regeneration, working with

partner organisations and retailers. High street recovery and transformation in Selsey, East Wittering and Bracklesham would be co-ordinated through the existing vision groups, town and parish councils.

The issue is set to be discussed by Chichester District Council’s cabinet on Tuesday.

All Chichester Vision partners were contacted to seek feedback on the current position and their potential level of support to projects in the future. Ideas included events, encouraging more sustainable transport, support for community groups, re-using empty shops and more marketing of the city for domestic tourism. One said: “We don’t want same old, same old. We want the new normal to be better, cleaner, greener, more friendly, more sustainable and open to new ideas.”

Another replied: “People are looking for fun, cheery, exciting and different projects to cheer us all up. Bring in artists and independents to make sure our vision going forward is fresh, forwardlooking and innovative.”